October 2, 2012

Veterinary medicine researchers present at international symposium on antibiotic alternatives

Frank Blecha, university distinguished professor and associate dean for research in the College of Veterinary Medicine, and H. Morgan Scott, professor of epidemiology in the department of diagnostic medicine/pathobiology, gave invited talks at the International Symposium on Alternatives to Antibiotics: Challenges and Solutions in Animal Production, Paris, Sept. 25-28.

Blecha served on the meeting’s scientific committee, co-chaired a session and presented “Antimicrobials in animal health: lessons from nature.” Scott presented “Heavy metals as alternatives to antibiotics: Panacea or Pandora’s Box." Both researchers also participated in an expert panel discussion to review novel alternatives to antibiotics from nature and what is needed to develop them.

The symposium focused on new technologies and strategies for treatment or prevention of diseases, as well as enhancement of production that do not result in the creation of selection pressure favoring the development of antimicrobial resistance.